Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has named Deshaun Watson his starting quarterback for the Week 1 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Watson won the job over second-year contender Shedeur Sanders following an offseason-long competition, despite facing recent backlash from hometown fans.
The Cleveland Browns have resolved their most closely watched roster battle of the summer. According to reports from NFL.com, the franchise tabbed veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson to lead the offense for the regular-season opener on Sept. 13 at Jacksonville. The decision concludes months of training camp practices and preseason reps shared between Watson and second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders.
Todd Monken Settles the Quarterback Competition
First-year head coach Todd Monken evaluated a wide range of data points across organized team activities, training camp practices, and preseason outings before settling on his starter. As CBS Sports noted, Watson entered camp as the slight favorite, regularly taking the opening reps with the first-team offense even as the coaching staff kept the overall workload relatively balanced. Monken told reporters that the competition unfolded in the best way I thought we could go about it
as the team searched for stability under center.
The preseason workload offered mixed results for both candidates. Watson appeared in two preseason contests, completing 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception, according to NFL.com data. Sanders completed 15 of 22 attempts for 153 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions over a similar span. While Sanders mounted a strong performance in the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills—completing 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown—Monken weighed the entire body of work rather than a single half of football.
Preseason Friction and the Home Crowd Reaction
The quarterback decision arrived directly on the heels of an uncomfortable home preseason outing. During a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field, home fans lustily booed Watson as he played the second half, marking his first appearance on the team’s home turf since he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The crowd’s reaction brought back memories of that injury game, when some spectators cheered as Watson was carted off in tears.
Following the loss to Buffalo, Watson expressed deep frustration with the crowd’s response, calling the reception personal and disrespectful.
Inside the Roster Dynamics and Contract Stakes
By naming Watson the starter, Cleveland leans heavily on veteran experience while relegating Sanders to the backup role.
Watson’s tenure in Cleveland remains one of the most heavily scrutinized acquisitions in professional sports history. After trading three first-round picks and additional draft capital to the Houston Texans in 2022, the Browns signed Watson to an unprecedented five-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million. Suspensions and severe injuries—including the October 2024 Achilles tear and a subsequent re-tear in early January 2025—have limited him to just 19 starts in a Browns uniform, compiling a 9-10 record.
Outlook for the AFC North Division
With Cleveland finalizing its depth chart, the Browns prepare to open their schedule on the road against Jacksonville before traveling to face Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
